FOOD

Ahi & Vegetable

Imagine you're downtown at lunchtime and come across an old friend eating something that looks delicious, and you go, "What's that?"

"Ahi and vegetables."

"Where'd you get it from?"

"Ahi and Vegetable."

Chances are you'll think your friend has lost it, gone deaf or is trying to mess with you, but before launching into a whack attack, be aware that there really is a place called Ahi & Vegetable on Fort Street Mall.

There's certainly no mystery as to what you're going to get in a place with such a straightforward moniker. There's ahi, spicy ahi or poke in donburi or salad form, the latter a simple heap of romaine with a little bit of slivered carrot and cucumber, for $6.72, or $7.68 as a set with miso soup and rice. You have the choice of a hot or mild sauce, the latter a blend of peanut butter and sesame oil.

Other ingredients that can top your salad or rice bowl are teriyaki chicken, unagi, salmon and shrimp, but I've never explored further. If I'm headed there, chances are I already have ahi and vegetables on the brain, and nothing else will do, particularly not the natto bowl.

They stress healthy ingredients and also carry granola bars they claim to make, for $3. I'm not sure they really make them, but they are indeed light with seemingly no added sugar.

MUSIC

Steve Jones brings jazz to the Atherton Studio

Steve Jones, one of Hawaii's finest acoustic bass jazz players, brings his trio to Hawaii Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. His sidemen include pianist Joshua Kaye and drummer Adam Baron. They'll be performing several original compositions as well as arrangements of classic jazz standards.

Jones has performed and recorded with such local stars as Jimmy Borges, Betty Loo Taylor, Jake Shimabukuro, Na Leo, Kapono Beamer, Keali'i Reichel and Gabe Baltazar. He's currently working with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii and Amy Hanaiali'i.

In 2004, Jones released his first solo recording, "The Steve Jones Collective, Vol. 1."

Tickets are $20 general admission, $17.50 for HPR members and $10 for students with ID. Call 955-8821.

ART

Contemporary Museum hosts art event for keiki

Give your keiki a dose of art in Saturday's Expression Session at the Contemporary Museum on Makiki Heights Drive.

Biennial artist Eli Baxter, who has become famous for her enormous, innovative and meticulously crafted "chandelier" sculptures made of recycled bicycle inner tubes, will teach youngsters how to cut, fold, bend, twist, wrap, and knot the material into exciting head leis and other sculptural forms.

Expression Session classes, held every first Saturday, feature local artists teaching children ages 5 to 12 to make art using different materials and techniques.

The classes will be held 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3 p.m. Cost is $12, $7 to museum members. Reservations are required. Call 237-5230.

FREEBIE

Supplies for school drive fun at Waikele

Children's activities are at the forefront of Waikele Premium Outlets' Family Fun Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The summer fun includes keiki crafts, balloons, face painting, storytelling and much more. Visitors who donate school supplies will receive a free gift while supplies last.

The event will be held in the Center Courtyard between the Izod and Geoffrey Beene stores. (To get to the Outlets, take the H-1 going Ewa and take Exit 7 to Lumiaina Street.)

Visit premiumoutlets.com/

waikele.

THEATER

Get your slam on at Hawaiian Hut

Calling all slam poets: The First Thursdays poetry slam continues its "no rules" summer with another show Aug. 7 at the Hawaiian Hut. All team pieces, musical accompaniment and props will be allowed, but the three-minute rule will remain in effect.

Musical guest will be guitarist Makana, known for fusing slack key with elements of classical, alternative, rock, folk, bluegrass, blues and jazz music. As always, the night will feature painters, massages in the back lounge and a guest DJ providing "turntable sorcery" throughout the evening.

Doors open at 7:45 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30. Admission is $3 before 8:30 and $5 afterward. Call 387-9664 or visit HawaiiSlam.com.